Are you ready to elevate your soup game? This French Onion Chicken Soup is a delightful twist on the classic French onion soup, bringing all the rich, caramelized flavors of onions together with tender chicken. It’s perfect for a cozy night in or impressing dinner guests with something truly special.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Rich and Flavorful: Each spoonful is packed with deep, savory flavors that warm the soul.
- Perfect for Entertaining: Impress your guests with a sophisticated dish that’s surprisingly easy to make.
- Customizable: Easily adapt this recipe for dietary preferences or available ingredients.
- Comfort in a Bowl: It’s the ultimate comfort food with a gourmet twist.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The charm of this French Onion Chicken Soup lies in its simple yet elegant ingredients. Each component adds its unique touch to the pot, from the sweet onions to the robust Gruyère cheese.
- Yellow Onions: These are the stars of our soup, offering a natural sweetness once caramelized.
- Unsalted Butter: It helps caramelize the onions and adds richness to the soup.
- Chicken Breasts or Thighs: Choose based on your preference for leaner or more flavorful meat.
- Dry White Wine: Enhances the soup’s flavors with a touch of acidity.
- Gruyère Cheese: Perfectly melty, this cheese brings the classic French onion flavor to your chicken soup.
Variations
This French Onion Chicken Soup can be easily modified to suit different tastes and dietary needs. Here are a few variations to inspire you.
- Vegetarian Version: Skip the chicken and use vegetable broth for a delightful veggie-packed soup.
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free flour to thicken the soup without compromising on texture.
- Spicy Twist: Add red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce for a spicy kick.
How to Make French Onion Chicken Soup
Step 1: Caramelize the Onions
Begin by thinly slicing your onions and melting unsalted butter in a large pot. Add the onions, thyme, bay leaves, salt, and pepper. Cook gently until the onions turn a rich amber color while stirring frequently. This process should take about 35 to 45 minutes, allowing the onions to caramelize beautifully.
Step 2: Prepare Vegetables and Sear Chicken
While your onions are caramelizing, chop your carrots and celery and mince the garlic. Add these to the pot with a little more butter. As these cook, season your chicken well, then add it to the pot. Pour in your wine and sherry as you stir, allowing the flavors to blend and deepen.
Step 3: Simmer and Shred
Sprinkle flour over the mixture, stir well, and then add the chicken broth. Allow the contents to simmer until the chicken is fully cooked. Remove the chicken, shred it using forks, and return it to your aromatic soup.
Step 4: Prepare Cheesy Toasts
For a perfect topping, slice your baguette and top with Gruyère cheese. Broil until the cheese is bubbly, then place a slice atop each steaming bowl of soup, transforming it into a luscious, satisfying meal.
Pro Tips for Making French Onion Chicken Soup
- The Sweetness of Slow Cooking: Allow the onions to slowly caramelize; patience highlights their natural sweetness, which enriches the entire soup.
- Wine Selection: Choosing a dry white wine, like a Sauvignon Blanc, adds the right balance of acidity without overpowering the flavors.
- Cheese Matters: Opt for a high-quality Gruyère, as it melts beautifully and infuses the soup with delightful savory notes.
- Toast It Right: Toast the bread just until bubbly for a crunchy, satisfying texture that complements the soup perfectly.
How to Serve French Onion Chicken Soup
Garnishes
Top each serving with freshly chopped parsley or chives for a pop of color and an additional layer of fresh flavor. It’s a small touch that makes the presentation pop!
Side Dishes
Pair this soup with a simple green salad tossed with a light vinaigrette or serve it alongside roasted vegetables to balance the rich flavors of the soup.
Creative Ways to Present
For a rustic look, serve the soup in white ceramic bowls, allowing the golden hues to shine. Or, for a homier presentation, try serving in oven-safe crocks with the cheese toast melted directly on top.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with leftovers (lucky you!), let the soup cool completely and store it in airtight containers in the fridge. It will keep beautifully for up to three days, and the flavors will develop even more.
Freezing
This soup is quite freezer-friendly. Once cool, portion it into freezer-safe containers, leaving a bit of space to allow for expansion. It will be fine in the freezer for up to three months.
Reheating
Reheat gently on the stove over medium heat until warmed through. If frozen, thaw the soup in the fridge overnight before reheating. The cheesy toasts are best made fresh each time.
FAQs
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Can I use red onions instead of yellow?
While red onions can be used, they have a less subtle sweetness than yellow onions once caramelized, which can alter the flavor profile of the soup significantly.
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What can I use instead of white wine?
If you prefer to omit the wine, you can substitute with equal parts chicken broth along with a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice for acidity.
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Is it possible to make this recipe dairy-free?
Absolutely! Use olive oil instead of butter and opt for a dairy-free cheese substitute to keep that melty goodness without the dairy.
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How can I deepen the flavor if I don’t have sherry?
If sherry isn’t on hand, a dash of balsamic vinegar or Worcestershire sauce can provide a similar depth of flavor to the soup.
Final Thoughts
This French Onion Chicken Soup is more than just a meal—it’s a warm, comforting experience in a bowl. Whether you’re gathering friends for a cozy dinner or simply treating yourself, this soup promises a hug in every spoonful. I hope you love it as much as I do!
Print
French Onion Chicken Soup Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: French
Description
A hearty and flavorful French Onion Chicken Soup combining deeply caramelized onions, tender shredded chicken, and gooey Gruyère cheese to create a comforting and satisfying meal, perfect for cozy dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
For the Soup
- 3 pounds yellow onions (about 4 large or 6 medium)
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 dried bay leaves
- 2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided, plus more as needed
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 3 medium carrots
- 3 medium stalks celery
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 3/4 cup dry white wine
- 1 tablespoon dry sherry
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
For the Cheesy Toasts (Optional)
- 1/2 baguette
- 2 ounces Gruyère cheese (about heaping 1/2 cup)
Instructions
- Caramelize the onions: Peel, halve, and thinly slice the yellow onions. Melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onions, thyme, bay leaves, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and black pepper. Cook, stirring often and scraping the bottom, until onions are soft and amber brown, about 35 to 45 minutes.
- Prepare the vegetables: While onions cook, peel and slice carrots into 1/4-inch rounds, chop celery into 1/4-inch pieces, and mince garlic. Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter to the onions. When melted, stir in carrots, cook until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes.
- Cook the chicken: Season chicken with remaining 1 teaspoon salt. Pour white wine and sherry into the pot, cooking until mostly evaporated, 2-3 minutes. Add flour, cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Pour in chicken broth, add chicken in a single layer, and bring to a simmer. Cook until chicken reaches 165°F (roughly 10-20 minutes).
- Shred the chicken and assemble: Remove chicken, shred with forks, and return to the pot. Discard bay leaves. Taste and season with additional salt if needed.
- Make cheesy toasts: Preheat oven broiler. Slice baguette into 1-inch slices, place on baking sheet. Grate Gruyère cheese and sprinkle evenly on bread slices. Broil until cheese bubbles and melts, about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
- Serve: Ladle soup into bowls, top with cheese toasts, and serve warm.
Notes
- You can use chicken thighs for juicier, more flavorful meat.
- If you prefer a thicker soup, add a little more flour or let it simmer longer to reduce.
- For added flavor, sauté the onions slowly to deepen their sweetness.
- The cheese toasts are optional but add a delightful cheesy crunch.
- This recipe pairs well with a simple green salad or crusty bread.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 950 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg
